The time has come and gone again for planning, preparation, safety goggles, color schemes, sand paper, spray paint, scales, graphite and strategically placed weights (honey, do you have any lithium batteries?).
James drew the design, determined the colors and helped Dad cut out the shape of his derby car.
When the big night came, the organizers didn't skimp on any of the dramatics of the race. After James's name is called over the loudspeaker, he enters the gym amid smoke and light with his scout shirt on and the super-awsome car that he named. . . . . . . . "Blank."
There were 45 cars to race on a great track that a man wearing a "Fremont" scout belt gave a 15 minute warning speech against harming in any way shape or form, or monetary penalties will be dished out. Your placement determined your score (1, 2, 3 or 4), the lowest scores after each car raced four times went to the finals. James's score was 4. He won all races he participated in!
James cheers on his friends while he waited in the pit for his turn.
After placing his car on the track, he ran to the finish line to await the results of the race, giving high fives along the way.
Mark tries to look non-chalant as he figures out James's scores and the scores of others. Despite his modest professions that "the car probably wouldn't do well," and he "didn't really spend much time on the car this year," there was enough time and love invested that merited attention to placement. And fun of course, because we only do this for the boys to have fun.
He watches closely as his car comes in first almost every time!
After racing four times in the final, James's score was 5! Which means he won the race!
James with his super-awesome car, "Blank." I'm sure it was the humility of the name that determined the success.
The owner of the track had the boys of the top three cars give their parents hugs (good man, even though he did scare us about jumping over the track).
Two great champions, with a trophy that everyone got which states "I did my best."
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